River lose Castaño for Vélez clash as he's called up for international duty | OneFootball

While for River it is still impossible to look beyond this Sunday’s Superclásico, there is already confirmed news: Kevin Castaño will not play against Vélez. The midfielder has been called up for Colombia’s national team friendlies and will travel to join Néstor Lorenzo’s squad after the match against Boca. Juan Fernando Quintero is not on the list and will stay in Argentina.

A virtually undisputed starter since his arrival at the club, the former Krasnodar player is increasingly facing resistance from the fans, who have already booed him on several occasions at the Monumental. He has played 36 matches with the red sash, 32 of them as a starter. With his performance declining, it is very likely that he will start at La Bombonera before leaving to play the international matches against New Zealand and Australia, in Miami on Saturday the 15th, and in New York on Tuesday the 18th, respectively.

That weekend, River will face Vélez in Liniers for matchday 16 of the Torneo Clausura. What will be at stake for the team at that moment will be known after the Superclásico. It is certain that they will need to win in order to at least not lose ground in the annual table with a view to qualifying for the next Copa Libertadores. Without Castaño, Juan Carlos Portillo is a sure bet and Enzo Pérez will likely have a chance to start.

The good news is that Juan Fernando Quintero, a regular with the Colombian national team, was not included in the squad. The number 10 for River will probably start against Boca and against Fortín, in two matches where the team needs to take all six points to at least secure a playoff spot for the Copa Libertadores.

The other international call-up is Matías Galarza. The left-footed former Talleres player is on Gustavo Alfaro’s list for Paraguay’s matches against the United States and Mexico and will also miss the match against Vélez. Nevertheless, he has only played 56 minutes (45′ against Talleres; 11′ against Racing) in the last six matches he was available for, and is increasingly less considered by the coach.

On the other hand, by decision of Lionel Scaloni, Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Rivero, and Gonzalo Montiel will remain in Argentina and will not participate in the tour to face Angola. All three were going to be called up, but given River’s urgent need for points, the national team coach reversed his decision. They will not travel to the United States, not even if either of the two left-footers receives a fifth yellow card against Boca.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.